Mousetrap Vehicle C
-
bwy
- Exalted Member

- Posts: 65
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:52 pm
- Division: C
- State: CA
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
-
starpug
- Admin Emeritus

- Posts: 932
- Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:51 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: ME
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
I do believe that the axle to wheel ratio and arm length to axle ratio both allow you to increase distance or speed at the cost of the other, so the key is to get the exact right amount of each out of the mousetraps.bwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
-
bwy
- Exalted Member

- Posts: 65
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:52 pm
- Division: C
- State: CA
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Yup. I'm wondering how(what to use) to thicken my axles, since it seems to help more for speed than shortening my arm bar.starpug wrote:I do believe that the axle to wheel ratio and arm length to axle ratio both allow you to increase distance or speed at the cost of the other, so the key is to get the exact right amount of each out of the mousetraps.bwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
-
starpug
- Admin Emeritus

- Posts: 932
- Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:51 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: ME
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
I was answering your second question, I really don't know about the first one.bwy wrote:Yup. I'm wondering how(what to use) to thicken my axles, since it seems to help more for speed than shortening my arm bar.starpug wrote:I do believe that the axle to wheel ratio and arm length to axle ratio both allow you to increase distance or speed at the cost of the other, so the key is to get the exact right amount of each out of the mousetraps.bwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
-
illusionist
- Member

- Posts: 942
- Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:13 pm
- Division: C
- State: MI
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
I use electrical tape, works great. What are the disadvantages that you seem to be experriencing?
-
bwy
- Exalted Member

- Posts: 65
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:52 pm
- Division: C
- State: CA
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Well, the tape compresses after a few winds.illusionist wrote:I use electrical tape, works great. What are the disadvantages that you seem to be experriencing?
The pencil grips are too inflexible (I can't get the exact thickness I need)
Covering the center part of my axle with Velcro makes it hard to find a place to attach my string to...
I haven't tried electrical tape, though (just masking and scotch tape). I'll give that a try.
-
illusionist
- Member

- Posts: 942
- Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:13 pm
- Division: C
- State: MI
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
It does compress, but it certainly does not make a big impact on your vehicle. I have been using the same tape for a couple months now, and it's fine.
-
jarrred_1415
- Member

- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:28 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: OH
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
i suggest that you take your axel to your local hardware store and trying several things to see which will fit over it tightlybwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
i found that nylon spacers worked really well but i think you could use rubber also
-
Draylon Fogg
- Member

- Posts: 150
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:03 pm
- Division: C
- State: KS
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
ive seen people use wooden weels to increase circumference
It's always tea time somewhere in the world...... Come to think of it... It's my tea time... 
Events I participate:
chem lab
forensics
forestry
helicopter
sounds of music
remote sensing
water quality
Events I participate:
chem lab
forensics
forestry
helicopter
sounds of music
remote sensing
water quality
-
mrsteven
- Exalted Member

- Posts: 815
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:40 pm
- Division: C
- State: IL
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C
Here's my question: why aren't you able to find thicker axels that you don't NEED to make them thicker? Our local hobby shop has a varity of thick/ thin materials to make axels from.be creative
2011 Helicopters State Runner-up
2012 Helicopters State Champion
2013 Robot Arm State Champion
2012 Helicopters State Champion
2013 Robot Arm State Champion